Ideas from 'Second Treatise of Government' by John Locke [1690], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Two Treatises of Government' by Locke,John [Everyman 1988,0-460-11751-3]].

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24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / b. The natural life

19906

All countries are in a mutual state of nature

19882

We are not created for solitude, but are driven into society by our needs

24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 3. Natural Values / a. Natural freedom

19864

In nature men can dispose of possessions and their persons in any way that is possible

24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 3. Natural Values / b. Natural equality

19865

There is no subjection in nature, and all creatures of the same species are equal

24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 3. Natural Values / c. Natural rights

19866

The rational law of nature says we are all equal and independent, and should show mutual respect

19872

The animals and fruits of the earth belong to mankind

19907

There is a natural right to inheritance within a family

24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 1. Purpose of a State

19863

Politics is the right to make enforceable laws to protect property and the state, for the common good

24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / c. Social contract

5654	The Second Treatise explores the consequences of the contractual view of the state [Scruton]

19888

A society only begins if there is consent of all the individuals to join it

6702	If anyone enjoys the benefits of government (even using a road) they give tacit assent to its laws

19909

A politic society is created from a state of nature by a unanimous agreement

24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / d. General will

19910

A single will creates the legislature, which is duty-bound to preserve that will

24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 4. Citizenship

19893

Anyone who enjoys the benefits of a state has given tacit consent to be part of it

19894

You can only become an actual member of a commonwealth by an express promise

19892

Children are not born into citizenship of a state

24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / b. Monarchy

19885

Absolute monarchy is inconsistent with civil society

24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / c. Despotism

19886

The idea that absolute power improves mankind is confuted by history

19903

Despotism is arbitrary power to kill, based neither on natural equality, nor any social contract

19905

People stripped of their property are legitimately subject to despotism

19904

Legitimate prisoners of war are subject to despotism, because that continues the state of war

24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / b. Legislature

19895

Even the legislature must be preceded by a law which gives it power to make laws

24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / c. Executive

19900

The executive must not be the legislature, or they may exempt themselves from laws

24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 4. Changing the State / c. Revolution

19902

Any obstruction to the operation of the legislature can be removed forcibly by the people

19908

Rebelling against an illegitimate power is no sin

19911

If legislators confiscate property, or enslave people, they are no longer owed obedience

24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / a. Nature of democracy

19887

Unanimous consent makes a united community, which is then ruled by the majority

19901

The people have supreme power, to depose a legislature which has breached their trust

25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 1. Slavery

19870

If you try to enslave me, you have declared war on me

19883

Slaves captured in a just war have no right to property, so are not part of civil society

19913

A master forfeits ownership of slaves he abandons

25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 6. Political freedom

19871

Freedom is not absence of laws, but living under laws arrived at by consent

25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 4. Economic equality

19880

All value depends on the labour involved

25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 3. Alienating rights

19873

We all own our bodies, and the work we do is our own

19884

There is only a civil society if the members give up all of their natural executive rights

25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 4. Property rights

6580	Locke (and Marx) held that ownership of objects is a natural relation, based on the labour put into it [Fogelin]

20520

Locke says 'mixing of labour' entitles you to land, as well as nuts and berries [Wolff,J]

19875

A man's labour gives ownership rights - as long as there are fair shares for all

19874

If a man mixes his labour with something in Nature, he thereby comes to own it

19877

Fountain water is everyone's, but a drawn pitcher of water has an owner

19876

Gathering natural fruits gives ownership; the consent of other people is irrelevant

19878

Mixing labour with a thing bestows ownership - as long as the thing is not wasted

19898

Soldiers can be commanded to die, but not to hand over their money

19879

A man owns land if he cultivates it, to the limits of what he needs

25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 2. The Law / a. Legal system

19881

The aim of law is not restraint, but to make freedom possible

25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 2. The Law / c. Natural law

19868

It is only by a law of Nature that we can justify punishing foreigners

25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 3. Punishment / a. Right to punish

19912

Self-defence is natural, but not the punishment of superiors by inferiors

19867

Reparation and restraint are the only justifications for punishment

19869

Punishment should make crime a bad bargain, leading to repentance and deterrence

25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 4. Taxation

19899

The consent of the people is essential for any tax